Borussia Dortmund, the winners of Group F at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, are set to face Monterrey, who finished second in Group E, in the round of 16.
Under the management of Niko Kovač, Dortmund has shown strong form, finishing their Bundesliga season with a successful second half that secured their place in the UEFA Champions League. In the group stage held in the United States, Dortmund remained undefeated, accumulating seven points from three matches. They drew with Fluminense (0-0) and achieved victories against Mamelodi Sundowns (4-3) and Ulsan HD (1-0). The team scored five goals, with each goal coming from a different player.
Kovač allowed his players a day and a half of rest following their last match to recuperate from a demanding season and the challenging weather conditions faced during the tournament. The team traveled from Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta, where they will compete in the indoor, climate-controlled environment of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
In a press conference, Kovač addressed the weather challenges, emphasizing the inevitability of such conditions in football. He acknowledged the frustrations of other coaches regarding weather delays but stressed that player safety should be the primary concern.
One player who has impressed Kovač is Daniel Svensson, who scored the decisive goal against Ulsan HD. The 23-year-old Swedish international recently signed a contract extending to 2029. Kovač praised Svensson's remarkable stamina and professionalism, noting his ability to consistently cover significant distances during matches.
Dortmund's sporting director, Sebastian Kehl, echoed Kovač's sentiments regarding Svensson, highlighting his intensity and adaptability as valuable assets to the team's strategy.
In terms of team news, Kovač confirmed that attacking midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka will miss the match due to illness. Additionally, Julian Brandt is being assessed for a potential wrist fracture, though surgery may not be necessary. Other unavailable players include Nico Schlotterbeck (torn meniscus), Emre Can (adductor), and Salih Özcan (knee) due to injuries.
The predicted lineup for Dortmund is as follows: Köbel; Couto, Anton, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Groß, Bellingham, Svensson; Brandt, Adeyemi; Guirassy.
On the opposing side, CF Monterrey, a Mexican club, also finished their group stage undefeated, securing five points from nine, placing them second behind Inter Milan. Under the guidance of Domènec Torrent, Monterrey has demonstrated strong defensive capabilities, conceding only one goal while scoring five, including a notable performance against Urawa Reds.
Despite their attacking success, Torrent emphasized the importance of a strong defensive strategy against Dortmund, stating that teamwork and commitment to defense are crucial for success in the upcoming match.
When asked about comments from football legend Alessandro Del Piero suggesting Monterrey would prevail over Dortmund, Torrent expressed gratitude but reiterated that his team must focus on their own performance and preparation.
Monterrey is currently injury-free within their main squad, with the predicted lineup being: Andrada; Medina, Ramos, Guzmán; Chavez, Deossa, Rodríguez, Corona, Arteaga; Canales, Berterame.
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